Horse Trade Turns Ten

In a way it's hard to believe that Horse Trade Theater Group is only ten years old, it seems like they've been around forever. But in a real estate crunch that has closed theaters piling up like dead bodies in a slasher film (Actor's Playhouse being the latest causality) a ten year anniversary is a cause to celebrate. That Horse Trade runs three off-off spaces that offer affordable rent is cause for canonization.

Among the many, many shows that will pass through the doors of the Horse Trade theaters will be a production of Mac Wellman's Harm's Way, October 2nd - 27th.

For info on Horse Trade Theater Group and all the shows running there: www.horsetrade.info

Karen Finley Says "WAKE UP!"

New York will be getting to see the new work by the fabulous Karen Finley titled WAKE UP! in October. WAKE UP! consists of two pieces: The Dreams of Laura Bush and The Passion of Terri Schiavo and it sounds fantastic.

Previews begin October 7th The Lafayette Street Theater at The Theaters at 45 Bleecker and runs through November 18 - Sundays at 7:00pm. It doesn't look like tickets are on sale yet, but will be eventually at Telecharge.

Old Acquaintance: 08/02/2007

After years of steady diet of The Wooster Group, Richard Foreman, Big Art Group, Soho Rep, etc., the Roundabout Theatre's production of Old Acquaintance seems positively avant-guarde – not that it is, of course, but it just has almost nothing that I love about the theater in it. The play, which probably seemed dated ten years after it was written, now almost seventy years later seems practically prehistoric. In fact my experience watching the show was not dissimilar to a trip to the Museum of Natural History observing an extinct species. Other than wanting to know what a 1940's equivalent to the sit-com was, there is little reason for reviving this play. Now, all that said – I didn't really have a terrible time at Old Acquaintance, mostly thanks to its two leading ladies Margaret Colin giving a mature, grounded performance and Harriet Harris' hilariously over-the-top antics. Cory Stoll has charm and it swell to look at, but the rest of the cast doesn't even have that. I wish there had been a director's note in the program – or even more importantly an Artistic Director's note explaining why they chose to do this play.

For tickets & info: www.roundabouttheatre.org

The Lacy Project: 07/26/2007

As the performances at the Soho Think Tank's Ice Factory are workshops, I'm going to give The Lacy Project constructive criticism: realize work works in your piece and run with it and realize what doesn't and toss it. The when the high points happen in The Lacy Project they are GREAT! A “Raggedy Ann” type doll describing playing with her male anatomy (as performed by Alexis McGuinness) is shockingly hilarious. Actress Molly Ward is brilliant in every moment she is on stage playing a spoiled white-wrapper junkie. When she's not in a scene you want her back. The premise of Alena Smith's play is also to be placed in the “what works” column. Lacy's mom is a famous photographer who has taken her photo (wearing a red ribbon) on her birthday every year. The play takes place on her 22nd birthday as she prepares for her mother's arrival. I think the biggest problem with the production is Susanna Gellert's direction. Aside from a nicely staged musical number, much of the scenes and the transitions from reality to fantasy either drag or just don't ever come together. The play itself could use some trimming and the resolution between Lacy and her roommate seems forced at best. But there is much to like about The Lacy Project – I hope it comes together eventually.

For Info: www.sohothinktank.org/icefactory

STRETCH: a fantasia: 07/19/2007

What's it like to be a footnote in history? Ask Rose Woods, President Nixon's loyal secretary who was responsible for the erasing several minutes of the infamous Nixon Audio Tapes that were central to the Watergate scandal. Woods is the central character in New Georges' production of STRETCH: a fantasia which is being workshopped as part of the Ice Factory summer series at the Ohio Theatre. The play, written by New Georges Artistic Director Susan Bernfield is set in the final days of Rose Woods' life at a nursing home in Ohio during the 2004 presidential election. It's a smart and funny show at the center of which is a terrific performance by Kristin Griffith as Rose. The production, directed by Emma Griffin is excellent with music by Rachel Peters, performed live by Peter Ajemian, Dan Bartfield, Kate Kelly, Phil Smith. I look forward to a future full production of this play.

For tickets & Info: www.sohothinktank.org/icefactory.html

2007 Fringe Guide is Online

You can now download the 2007 Fringe Guide and start choosing your shows!

CLICK HERE FOR FRINGE GUIDE

Tickets go on sale at midnight on July 20th.

For more info: www.fringenyc.org

Gypsy: 07/16/2007

I was really looking forward to the Summer Encores production of Gypsy with Patti LuPone. Gypsy has to be one of the finest musicals ever written and LuPone one of the true divas of the musical theater today. When you toss in the talents of Boyd Gaines, Laura Benanti, Alison Fraser, and Nancy Opel under the direction of Arthur Laurents the hopes of a smash evening are high. Unfortunately what is on stage at City Center seems like a rushed, thrown-together half-effort. LuPone shines in some musical numbers and some of the scenes as well – but the feeling of the over-all production is that of a skimpy bargain basement knock-off of a name brand original. The fact that so many of the numbers are performed at a faster-than-usual tempo doesn't help the rushed feeling of the whole show. It made me miss the Tyne Daily production more than ever.

For Tickets & Info: www.nycitycenter.org